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Issued under Personal Direction of and Edited by 

HARRY J. BOSWELL 

1913 



Representative San Antonians. 

City Builders 



Brief Resume of the City of San Antonio and a 

Limited Number of Prominent Men Who 

have done their full part to make 

the Texas Metropolis 




Respectfully dedicated to those self-made and 
progessive men of San Antonio, who have 
wooed and won success by following the 
straight and narrow pathways of honesty. 



-The A uthor 



PURPOSE OF THIS LITTLE VOLUME 

Not compiled as a biographical history, but intended merely to 
give to the outside world an insight into the lives and accomplishments 
of residents of San Antonio who have helped to "make" the city — the 
best in the Southwest. 



Issued under Personal Direction of and Edited by 

Harry J. Boswell 
19i'3 



Copyrighted 1913 by Harry J. BoswELL— All Rights Reserved 



A FEW WORDS WITH THE AUTHOR 




X tho following pages will be found statistical and biographical 
nijitter, in my opinion, as near accurate as can be had, pertaining 
to not only San Antonio as a city, but to a limited number of 
its best known residents. I do not wish to convey the impression 
that the only representative people of San Antonio are found in 
this booklet. There may be many more just as prominent, 
but my work was jjlanned, in the beginning, not to include in excess of fifty 
and T have with care, selected those whom I regarded as most available for 
my work. It will be noticed that in looking over this volume there . are 
several comments exceedingly brief in character. This is no fault of mine. 
The gentlemen to whom they refer were unwilling that I should write anything 
of an extended nature, and while they exercised no control over me, nor was I 
then, nor now, under any sort of obligation to them, still I considered it best 
to grant their requests in that connection. Concluding, let me add this — 
that none appearing in this book has paid me, or agreed to pay me any 
consideration for the publication of anything whatsoever, of any nature. 
Some have ordered copies of the work reserved for them, while others have 
not. I think I may, with modesty, say that I am proud of the results of my 
own efforts in presenting to the public this work, the first of its character 
issued in San Antonio. 

' Sincerely and obediently, 

HAERY J. BOSWELL, 

Author. 



SAN ANTONIO. TEXAS (Metropolis of Texas) 
HER MARVELOUS PROGRESS 



Founded as Presidio in 1718. 

Established as City in 1731. 

Became part of United States in 1846. 

Population (1910 census) 96,614; increase since 1910, estimated, 28,386. 

Climatic conditions, mean annual temperature 69 degrees; mean maxi- 
mum temperature 79 degrees; mean minimum temperature 58 degrees. 

Mortality, official record, 14.71 per 1000. 

Fifty-four passenger trains daily. 

Third in building operations in United States. Operations in 1912, 
$2,809,492.00. 

Bank clearings (1912) $180,000,000.00. 

Assessments (1912) $96,000,000.00. 

Annual tax rate, $1.44. 

Twenty-two parks and plazas, area 342 acres. 

Post office receipts (1912) $337,648.00. 

Center of the largest undeveloped acreage in United States. 

Trade territory, 600,000 square miles. 

Largest Army Post in United States. 

Finest Hot Sulphur Wells in country. 

No floating indebtedness. 

Three hundred and fourteen factories. 

Bonded indebtedness, $2,098,000.00. 

Altitude, from 651 to 758 feet. 

Street Railway System of nearly 100 miles. 

Mecca for tourists. 



©CI.A345458 



f^ 



ADVANTAGES OF SAN ANTONIO 
Brief Resume 



HHAT San Antonio is becoming one of the greatest jobbing centers 
in the southwest there can be little doubt, and new railroads pro- 
jected through this territory will develop conditioris, and bring many 
, 1 new opportunities for business and investments. There can be no 

doubt but that the city has developed, and is still developing rapidly. 
San Antonio is the shopping center of the southwest and a number of 
its retail houses are the largest south of St. Louis. Many tourists pass through 
the city annually, and to accommodate them the most modern hotels are 
found here. Real estate values have rapidly increased. The city has seven 
National banks, four State banks, four private banks and five Trust com- 
panies, the aggregate deposits of which average about $20,000,000.00. 

San Antonio, in my opinion, has the best equipped street railway system in 
the United States, population considered. The San Antonio Traction Com- 
pany, of which W. B. Tuttle is Vice President, operates about seventy-five 
miles of trackage, employing several hundred men. About seventy cars are 
operated regularly, with thirty more held in reserve. An average of about 
20,000,000 passengers are carried annually. The cars used are what are known 
as the double truck, semi-convertable. They are equipped with air brakes 
and vestibules and are of the "pay as you enter" variety. The company, for 
the most part, uses an eighty-five pound rail in the city. There is one thing in 
the street railway service of San Antonio that has appealed to me very strong- 
ly—the employes of the corporation are unusually polite and attentive to 
passengers, and seem to make an especial effort to serve them in such manner 
as to merit public approval. 

The public school system of San Antonio is one of the best in the South- 
west. There are thirty public institutions of learning, of which twenty-four 
are grade schools for whites, two are high schools and four are schools for the 
negro population. In these schools are employed a total of about 350 teachers- 
The superintendent of the school system of San Antonio is one of the best 
trained men in educational work in the country, and has devoted much time 
to it. He was selected for his superior qualifications, and has brought about 
many needed improvements. 

The Chamber of Commerce of San Antonio is the largest body of its kind 
in the city, and perhaps in the entire State. It is made up of all classes of 
business and professional men, and has done more to advertise the city, and 
exploit its advantages to the outside world than any other similar body.' W. 
B. Tuttle, vice-president of the San Antonio Traction Company, is its presi- 
dent, while the secretary, J. B. Carrington, and other officials are all wide 
awake men. 

Most important among the factors that have united to place San Antonio 
upon the exalted plane it occupies today, are the churches, churches of prac- 
tically every denomination, faith and creed. No city in the country can excel 
San Antonio in its parks and plazas, covering a total area of approxinu^tely 
three hundred and fifty acres, while the magnificent driveways are indeed 
scenes of beauty. 

The Carnegie Library, presided over by Miss Cornelia Notz, librarian, has 
done much to assist in enlightening thousands who patronize it annually and 
is generally regarded as one of the best conducted in the country. The li- 
brarian, Miss Notz is especially trained in her work, and has surrounded her- 
self with an able corps of assistants. 



JUDGE THOMAS D. COBBS. 



In many parts of the country today 
are men who have gained distinction in 
the various avenues of life. In my opin- 
ion, the legal profession is pre-eminent 
and in its ranks are to be found many 
of the most brilliant men of today. In 
fact, there is scarcely any movement of 
importance but what members of this 
profession are interested, either directly 
or indirectly. 

Some of the best known lawyers in 
the south are residents of San Antonio. 
I do not recall anyone who commands 
greater respect nor who has achieved 
more universal success than Judge 
Thomas D, Cobbs, member of the legal 
firm of Cobbs, Eskridge & Cobbs. Judge 
Cobbs was born in Alabama, his father 
before him, being one of the most dis- 
tinguished jurists of the country. Judge 
Cobbs received his preparatory educa- 
tion in Lindisfarne Academy at Marion, 
Alabama. After reading law in his 
father's office he was admitted to the 
bar at Livingston in 1875. Prior to that 
time, however, he was Circuit Court So- 
licitor in Choctaw County, Alabama. 

Coming to Texas in 1878 he became 
the legal partner of Major Hannibal 
Boone, who, under the administration of 
Governor Coke, was Attorney General. 
Judge Cobbs located in San Antonio in 
1893. For some time he was a member 
of the legal firm of Denman, Franklin, 
Cobbs & McGown. As a member of the 
state militia he was accorded the rank 
of Captain. He was also Lieutenant 
Colonel under Gov. Lanham. He served 
in the 28th, 29th and 30th State leg- 
islatures, notwithstanding his election 



to office was unsought, neither did he 
canvas for a single, solitary vote. Judge 
Cobbs has also served as a member of 
the Court of Civil Appeals, in which 
capacity he demonstrated his superior 
knowledge of law. 

Judge Cobbs wed Miss Carrie Quin- 
ney, daughter of one of the most prom- 
inent physicians of Texas. The couple 
have one son, Thomas D. Cobbs, Jr., 
member of his father's law firm. As a 
lawyer. Judge Cobbs ranks among the 
best in the southwest. He is logical, 
sound in principle, well versed in all 
points of law, and has met with the 
greatest success in the conduct of cases. 
He is a man of broad guaged views, 
splendid executive ability and high in- 
tellectual attainments. 

His father. Chancellor Thomas Cobbs, 
served with great distinction on the 
bench for more than a quarter of a 
century in Alabama. He died in 1898. 
It was he who rendered the country 
famous decision in the case of the Mem- 
phis and Charleston Eailroad versus the 
East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia 
Railroad, thereby changing the status of 
railroad investments and having direct 
bearing thereon. The Cobbs family is 
one of the oldest in English history. 
Joseph Cobbs, the first of the family 
settled in Yorktown, Va., in 1613. The 
' ' family tree is very interesting and 
I would like to publish it but am pre- 
vented, due to lack of space. Judge 
Cobbs has a brother, J. B. Cobbs, of 
Birmingham, Alabama, one of the best 
known bankers and financiers of the 
South. 



JUDGE LEROY G. DENMAN 



I dare say there is not a man or 
woman in this thriving city but who 
knows this distinguished man, and 
his splendid standing in Texas and 
elsewhere. No man has been more 
closely identified with the growth of 
Texas. 



Judge Denman is a native of the 
Lone Star State, and was born in 
Guadalupe County in 1855. He is 
a graduate of the University of Vir- 
ginia, of the class of 1880, and which 
bestowed upon him the degree of B. 
L. About a year following his grad- 



nation, young Denman was wedded 
to Miss Susie Carpenter, a native of 
San Antonio. 

For a period of about five years. 
Judge Denman served on tlie Su- 
preme Bench of the State of Texas, 
his decisions being of wide import- 
ance, and covering points in which 
were frequently involved not a few 
of the most intricate and complex 
problems of law. 

The bar c f the State had the high- 
est regard for any action taken by 
Judge Denman in his official posi- 
tion, and only a few days ago, a re- 
mark made in my presence, I think, 
rather forcibly demonstrates his 
standing in the legal profession. In 
conversation bearing upon the com- 
petency of men engaged in legal 
practice in Texas, this gentleman 
stated to me that "Judge Denman, 
in my opinion, is the best lawyer in 
San Antonio. His knowledge of law 
is remarkable, and his ability as an 
orator unsurpassed." 

I have quoted this party as closely 
as possible, and as I have indicated 
it shows the standing of the distin- 
guished practitioner ajnong the pub- 
lic generally. The firm of which 
Judge Denman is the senior partner, 
is one of the largest in this section 
of the country, made up of men who 
have devoted their lives to the study 
of the legal problem's and the un- 
raveling of many intricate projects 



that are presented to them almost 
daily. 

Judge Denman has apeared before 
the courts of Texas and other com- 
monwealths, in the role of counsel 
for either the defendant or the plain- 
tiff. He has no patience with the 
pretender and abhors the sham. He 
feels that everything should be done 
above board, while at the same time, 
exerting every legitimate, honorable 
effort for the protection of the client's 
interest, large or small, and in this 
manner he has carried to the most 
successful conclusion some of the 
most difficult litigation. 

Judge Denman is a. man of un- 
usual civic pride, and in every move- 
ment of any moment, calculated to 
advance the material interests of San 
Antonio especially, and Texas, gen- 
erally, he has always and at all times 
been among those first to respond. 
This in itself has had much to do 
with endearing Judge Denman to 
the general public, and when I make 
the assertion that no more popular 
jurist is to be found anywhere in the 
South or West, I only make a state- 
ment thatment that has been many 
times verified. 

Judge Denman is president of the 
San Antonio Loan & Trust Co., as 
also Chairman of the board of direc- 
tors of the San Antonio National 
Bank. He is one of the most ex- 
tensive farmers in Texas, owning 
large farms in Guadalupe County. 



HOMER EADS 



While willing to concede that it 
was my knowledge that San Antonio 
possessed many features not found 
in the ordinary community, and the 
headquarters of tourists from all parts 
of the world, I was not prepared for 
information that it was also the' home 
of several insurance companies. 

I have taken occasion in this work 
to refer to some of the leaders in 
the life insurance field, all wide 
awake, progressive men. Of the 
casualty companies operating in the 



Southwest, there is none with a more 
brilliant future than the Southwest- 
ern Casualty Insurance Company, of 
which Homer Eads is President and 
General Manager. 

This company only legan busi'iess 
in the latter part of 1911, since 
which its strides have indeed been 
remarkable. The report made to 
the Insurance Commissioner of Texas 
at the beginning of the present year 
indicates great activity on the part 
of its president and his subordinati's. 



Its surplus to policy-holders at that 
time was nearly ninety thousand dol- 
lars, and is greater today. Its total 
assets were then nearly three hun- 
dred and fifty thousand dollars, 
which is much greater now. The 
company has a paid in capital of two 
hundred thousand dollars. 

Homer Eads is one of the most, 
popular men in the insurance field 
of the Southwest. For many years 
he was connected with the Interna- 
tional & Great Northern Railroad in 
high capacities, serving at one time 
as assistant to the Vice President 
and General Manager. He had no 
"political pull" to carry him for- 
ward, but advanced of his own ef- 
forts, having begun life as a mes- 
senger boy. He is made of the sort 
of material that counts in every un- 
dertaking. 

Under the direction of such a man 
any company will succeed. There 
is not a broader guaged nor more 
highly intellectual man in the coun- 
try, nor a more conscientious man. 
He believes that the minutest de- 
tails should be looked after, and he 
has no patience with any employe 



who fails to abide by such instruc- 
tions. He long ago realized, that in 
order to attain public confidence, it 
was necessary to place every depart- 
ment under the direct and personal 
supervision of trained men — men es- 
pecially trained for the business in 
hand, and today, as he sits in the 
President's office, holding the lines 
reaching to every department of the 
company's business, he knows just 
what each is doing, and how. Since 
he assumed the General Manager- 
ship of the Southwestern Casualty 
Insurance Company, and advanced 
from that office to the still more ele- 
vated post of president, he has work- 
ed unceasingly. His whole time and 
attention, during business hours, he 
considers, belongs to the company, 
and he takes good care that every- 
thing works smoothly. 

When he leaves his office for the 
day, he is through with business 
cares for that time, and enioys all 
the comforts of a modern home in 
the companionship of his wife, one 
of the most charming and highly ac- 
complished of the flowerhood of the 
Lone Star State. 



THOMAS ATIiEE COLEMAN 



Thomas A. Coleman is a native Tex- 
an. He was born in Goliad county, 
scion of one of the most prominent fam- 
ilies in the southwest. In 1891 he lo- 
cated in San Antonio. There is not 
a better known ranchman in the 
United States today, he controlling 
many of the largest ranches in the coun- 
ties of LaSalle, Dimmit and others, on 
which graze thousands of cattle. This 
vast estate, Mr. Coleman has brought 
about through square treatment of his 
fellow man. 

During recent years, Mr. Coleman has 
devoted much time to the cultivation of 
Bermuda onions. Many of the deepest 
wells of the country were sunk under his 
orders. He has given much of his time 
to farming of all kinds, and never tires 
of experimenting, and as a rule, with 



success. If there is a more popular busi- 
ness man in Southwest Texas I do not 
know it. As President of the South- 
western Casualty Insurance Company, 
prior to his being succeeded by Homer 
Eads, of whom comment also appears in 
this work, he readily demonstrated his 
executive ability. He grasped every lit- 
tle detail of business, and throws his 
individuality into it. As President of 
the Alamo Oil and Refining Company, 
and as Vice President of the Saunders 
Commission Company, as well as others, 
he has done the same. He has indicat- 
ed his faith in the. future of Texas by 
becoming one of the largest stock hold- 
ers in the Southwestern Casualty In- 
surance Company. 

As General Live* Stock Agent for the 
International and Great Northern rail- 



road, he was selected for two things — 
first his superior knowledge of livestock, 
and his honesty of purpose in all deal- 
ings. , 

He was the active manager of the 
International Club, which he also served 
as president. He holds membership in 
all Masonic organizations, including the 
Shriners, as well as the Elks, 
Casino Club, Travis Club, San Antonio 
Club, San Antonio Country Club, Uni- 



versity Club, Chamber of Commerce and 
others equally as well known. 

Mr. Coleman was wedded in Victoria, 
Texas, to Miss Birdie Keeran, a highly 
accomplished and charming woman, and 
together, through life they have wended 
their way, each happy in the affection 
of the other. Their children are Mrs. 
Captain John Hodges, nee Claude Cole- 
man; Miss Marguerette, Miss Birdie and 
Thomas Atlee Coleman, Jr. 



FERDINAND HERFF. 



I have found in my travels, that one 
of the safest and best indications of 
the character of a city or town is the 
nature of its banking institutions. In 
San Antonio there are some of the 
strongest financial institutions in the 
Southwest, institutions that have been 
established for many years, and which 
have resources of immense value. 

In all, I believe there are seven Na- 
tional, four State and four private 
banks in San Antonio, in addition to 
several splendidly equipped trust com- 
panies. One of the leading national in- 
stitutions is the San Antonio National 
Bank, which occupies one of the most 
pretentious structures in the city on 
West Commerce street and of which 
Ferdinand Herff is President. 

Mr. Herff has had long experi- 
ence in financial circles, and it is free- 
ly conceded, even by the bank's strong- 
est competitors, that no man in the 
State is better equipped for the office 
of president than is Mr. Herff. He 
has in fact grown up with the bank. 
The Herff family is one of the most 
noted in the Southwest, and the name is 
closely identified with the growth and 
development of the Lone Star State. 

Ferdinand Herff, since assuming the 



presidency of the San Antonio National 
has brought to it a vast amount of 
patronage. He has given it his undi- 
vided attention, with the result that it 
is today one of the leading financial 
houses of the Southwest. 

The Board of Directors acted well 
in its selection of this distinguished 
man to head the personnel of their ros- 
ter. He has risen, step by step, through 
all the positions, having even slept there 
during the first six months of his em- 
ployment and during the most troublous 
times. 

Ferdinand Herff is regarded as one 
of the most practical bank officials in 
the country. He is a man of unusual 
forethought, a deep thinker, exception- 
ally well read, and with all, possessed of 
keen executive ability and conserva- 
tism. 

A man, naturally, of broad intellect- 
ual training, and having the happy fac- 
ulty of cultivating the friendship of 
thousands, it is but natural that his suc- 
cessful conduct of the affairs of the 
San Antonio National Bank should be 
paramount to all things else. He is a 
member of the Chamber of Commerce, 
San Antonio Country Club, Casino Asso- 
ciattion and others. 



FRANK WINERICH. 



I was surprised to find some of the made by the leading commercial organi- 
largest establishments in the Southwest zations of the city, the Chamber of Com- 
in the Texas metropolis and strides merce can result in but one thing — 



increased activity and the bringing of 
more manufacturing and business es- 
tablishments to San Antonio. 

As an illustration of the progressive- 
iiess of the city, let me cite such a con- 
cern as the Woodward Carriage Com- 
pany. This company is presided over 
by Frank A. Winerich. I was surprised 
to find that it carried a stock of ve 
hides equally as large as some estab- 
lishments which I have had occasion 
to visit in cities with twice the pop- 
ulation of San Antonio. 

Mr. Winerich is a native of the Lone 
Star Starte and has resided within its 
boundaries all of his life. No man 
knows his State better, neither do I 
recall any whose success has been 
more marked. Mr. Winerich was born 
in 1872 at Helena, Texas. 

In every transaction he enters, his 
word is his bond, and it has come to 
be so regarded throughout his native 
commonwealth. 

Mr. Winerich and his family are 



eoninuinicants of the First Baptist 
church. Many of the prominent men 
of San Antonio are members of this 
congregation. Mr. Winerich is closely 
associated with this work being not only 
a communicant , but one of the church 
officials as well. 

He holds active membership in the 
Masons, is an Elk and also belongs to 
the International Club and the Chamber 
of Commerce. Mr. Winerich, in 1896 
was wedded to Miss Ida Holmes, a 
native of Pine Bluff, Ark., a highly 
accomplished and charming young wo- 
man. Their married life has been ideal 
and a splendid example for others. 

As a business man, he commands the 
respect of the entire community. In 
banking circles, he is considered one of 
the substantial men of the State. In 
social circles, no man could enjoy a 
greater measure of esteem than he and 
his charming wife. Mr. Winerich, in 
addition to his other interests is Vice 
President of the Alamo Trust Company. 



HENRY A. HODGE. 



Notwithstanding the fact that San 
Antonio is not, as yet, classed as one 
of the largest cities of the country, I 
can safely say that it undoubtedly is 
one of the livest, and most wide-awake 
localities in the United States. 

Located in San Antonio are the gen- 
eral offices of several of the best 
known insurance companies operating 
in Texas, and they all appear to be 
doing a thriving business. Of them, 
it is my conscientious opinion that the 
San Antonio Life Insurance Company 
is by far the most progressive life 
company. I do not say this by way of 
' ' knocking ' ' any other company, but 
what I have said, I base solely upon 
information which I, as the author of 
this -work, have personally gathered. 

In the selection of Henry A. Hodge 
as the company's president, the direct- 
ors made a wise choice, he being a 
man possessing a vast amount of sound, 
practical experience in the insurance 
field, and is especially well qualified 



for the great work he has undertaken. 
It is but a few days ago (this is writ- 
ten in March 1913) that Mr. Hodge 
and other officers of the company in 
question were re-elected for another 
tenure of office, a fact in itself that 
clearly indicates the universal satisfac- 
tion which he is giving. 

To fill satisfactorily such an import- 
ant position, one must necessarily be 
qualified. By this, I mean he must pos- 
sess practical, logical training and 
understand thoroughly every minute de- 
tail of the business. In other words, 
literally speaking, he must have the de- 
tails of the company's interests ^t his 
fingers' tips. President Hodge is that 
character of official. 

Mr. Hodge is one of the most pleas- 
ing men to meet, of considerable per- 
sonal magnetism, a deep thinker, well 
read and a man of unusual intellectual 
training. With these requisites to sus- 
tain him in the pursuit of business, he 
has gone ahead steadily, winning sue- 



cess without an obstacle to mar his 
way. 

Since his connection with the com- 
pany he has gained for it a large 
amount of business that I am satisfied 



might have gone to competing com- 
panies had Mr. Ilodge been with them, 
for the very simple reason that much 
business has been added, based upon 
the president's personal popularilty. 



REV. DR. S. J. PORTER. 



It is my personal opinion, and I find 
that the view is shared in by not a few 
others, that the ministers, speaking as 
a whole, of San Antonio, are some- 
what different from those engaged in 
similar work in other localities. 

Of these, I can recall none who has 
made greater headway than Rev. Dr. 
S. J. Porter, pastor of the First Bap- 
tist church, one of the most lovable 
men in the city's ministry and one who 
is universally esteemed by the people, 
regardless of denomination. 

The children of the city are fond of 
him, and often in passing along the 
streets of San Antonio, and passing a 
crowd of children, *the minister will 
reach down, pat a tot on the head 
and say something of interest to him. 
On the other hand, Dr. Porter has inany 
times stopped and talked to derelict hu- 
manity, as I would term it. Unlike 
many ministers, he does not look down 
on those poor unfortunates, but be- 
lieves in giving them a helping hand. 

Dr. Porter is one of the most active 
ministers of San Antonio. His sermons 
are forceful, and delivered in an un- 
derstandable manner. As a result of 
this, I believe a larger number of young 
people attend the First Baptist church 
than any other in the city, and this is 
steadily increasing. He is regarded as 
one of the best, read men in the San 



Antonio ministry, a man of broad in- 
tellectual training, and withal a deep 
thinker He takes much interest in 
civic affairs, is loyal to his home city, 
and in many of the large movements 
having for their purpose the advance- 
ment of San Antonio, he has at all times 
done his part. Dr. Porter was ordained 
in 1892, after which he spent about two 
years' in Kio de Janeiro, Brazil in mis- 
sionary work. 

Returning to America, he held charg- 
es in Newbern and Fayetteville, North 
Carolina, also in Kansas City, Mo., and 
Richmond, Va., and then came to San 
Antonio. He has also served as field 
secretary of the Foreign Mission Board, 
Richmond. • 

Dr. Porter wed Miss Katie Munn, 
a native of North Carolina, and the 
couple have seven children, five boys 
and two girls, Roy, Marie, Samuel Jud- 
son, Eloise, Angus, Alexander and 
Douglass McDaniel. Dr. Porter is au- 
thor of a number of religious works, the' 
majority of which have been published 
by the church board. Among these are 
such works as ' ' Yearning Upward ' ', 
"The Shepherd Heart", "Southern 
Baptist Missions in China"," Southern 
Baptist Missions in South America ' ', 
"The Life of the Lord's Prayer", 
"Love's Crowning", "The Centric 
Christ or Christ in Hebrews". 



DR. L. L. SHROPSHIRE. 



Through the ages of history down to 
the present time, in practically every 
momentous j)roblem undertaken, statis- 
tics show that physicians have done a 
herculean part. These men, especially 
trained, have been more or less relied 
upon to uphold the people in their en- 
deavors, f^r without health, progress in 



itself would make little headway in 
bringing about conditions that are be- 
ing needed more and more each day in 
modern day life. In fact the health, I 
might say, of the whole civilized world, 
lies within the keeping of these dis- 
tinguished men, many of whom have 
reached the liighest pinnacle of fame. 



Olio of the most prominent physi- 
cians in San Antonio is Dr. L. L. Shrop- 
shire, who in the capacity of City Phy- 
sician, and member of the San Antonio 
Board of Health, long ago demonstrated 
his splendid competency and thorough 
knowledge of medicine and practice 
thereof. 

The City Physician is what I would, 
off hand, term the active man of the 
health department of any community. 
It will be found that the City Physician 
is the man in whose hands rests the 
health of the citizenship of that res- 
pective locality, in fact that the munic- 
ipal administration in power looks to 
him for the preservation of public 
health, and that if he fails to accom- 
plish that for which he is appointed, he 
is regarded as a failure. 

No city in the country enjoys better 
health than San Antonio. Therefore 



the conclusion is a foregone one that 
Dr. Shropshire has demonstrated his 
efficiency. A man of broad intellectual 
training, thoroughly conversant witli 
the affairs of public welfare and health, 
and a close student of hygiene and san- 
itation, Dr. Shropshire has gained for 
himself a reputation surpassed by no 
other medical practitioner in the South- 
west. Should an epidemic of disease of 
any character get a foothold in a city, 
it is up to the City Physician, backed 
by the Health Department to stamp it 
out. 

Today there is no cleaner nor more 
healthy metropolis anywhere, barring 
none, than right here in San Antonio, 
and credit for the biggest part of such 
conditions rests with Dr. L. L. Shrop- 
shire. The Doctor is a native of Texas, 
and was born in LaGrange in 1857. He 
is a member of the County^ State and 
National professional bodies. 



JUDGE JOHN H. CLARK. 



Skill and knowledge in the main con- 
stitute 'the basis upon which success is 
founded. In every avenue of activity 
I have found this true. And so it is 
in the practice of law, one of the old- 
est professions of man. In San Antonio 
are to be found some of the brainiest 
of men engaged in this profession, men 
who through their own efforts have 
gained success and distinction. 

In my opinion one of the wisest se- 
lections ever made in San Antonio was 
when John H. Clark was made judge 
of the County Court for civil cases. 
Cfandidly speaking I do not recall a 
man more peculiarly well qualified for 
the honor, well versed in the statutes, 
a deep thinker, of broad intellectual 
training, he is indeed well qualified for 
the position. 

Judge Clark is a native of Missis- 
sippi. He was born in 1850. As a lad 
he attended the country schools of his 
home community, and it has been entire- 
ly through his own individual efforts 
that he made his way to the front rank 
of professional men in the State of 
Texas. 



As a member of the Texas State Leg- 
islature he first drew public attention 
to him, and engaged in not a few of the 
most heated debates in that body, stand 
ing solidh' and squarely for the rights 
of the people, as against corporate 
greed and public graft. 

As judge of the County Court of civil 
cases he has demonstrated his splendid 
fitness for the office. Since he as- 
cended the bench not a few cases have 
come before his court in which were in- 
volved many unusual and complex prob- 
lems of law, but he always rendered de- 
cisions, ' the great majority of which 
have been upheld by the higher tri- 
bunals. 

He has often taken cases under ad- 
visement, in order to read over the case 
again, to review the evidence as given 
in by witnesses, and his opinions carry 
the greatest weight and are much res- 
pected by the bar. Only yesterday 
(March 4, 1913) in conversing with one 
of the biggest legal guns in the Lone 
Star State, who also appears in this 



10 



work, he remarked to me that, "John 
Clark is the premier jurist in San An- 
tonio". I asked him why he made such 



a broad assertion, and his reply was, 
"simply because it is true, young man, 
simply because it is true". 



AUGUSTUS W. HOUSTON. 



The legal profession throughout the 
world is of pre-eminence in many res-' 
pects. In its ranks are found thousands 
of men, not a few of whom are able 
and brilliant, and have succeeded in at- 
taining positions of the utmost distinc- 
tion. 

In the greatest undertakings of the 
world, little is accomplished, especially 
if immense sums of money are involved, 
until after the matter in its entirety is 
first submitted to some able attorney 
to pass decision upon its feasibility. I 
have never seen nor heard of its failure 
yet in that connection. 

I can recall no more able lawyer in 
the State of Texas than Augustus W. 
Houston, senior member of the well 
known legal firm of Houston, Boyle 
and Storey. Mr. Houston is a native 
of Alabama, and was born in Lauder- 
dale County in 18.50, but from early 
infancy has resided in San Antonio. In 
other words he has practically grown 
right up with the -city of his adoption, 
coming here in 1851, and today no man 
stands higher in the profession and 
otherwise. He is a graduate of Wash- 
ington and Lee University (1869) and 
Lebanon Law School, (1871). 

When I first begun to compile my 
list for this work, among the first 
whose names appeared to me were such 
men as Houston, Denman, Franklin and 
others. 



Public attention was first attracted 
to Mr. Houston, during his tenure of 
office as State Senator. He was first 
sent to the Texas State Senate in 1878, 
and served continuously for eight years. 
During that time according to the of- 
ficial records in Austin, he appeared in 
some of the most brilliant debates on 
the floor of the Senate and was in- 
strumental in the passage of the most 
important legislation enacted. 

He has since appeared in much of the 
important litigation before the State 
and Federal courts, representing as 
counsel, either plaintiff or defendant, 
and with marked success. He has no 
patience with a sham, abhors a pretend- 
er and defends the interests of his cli- 
ents upon the broad basis of his splen- 
did knowledge of the law. In argument 
before court and jury, he is one of the 
most forceful speakers of the Texas 
bar. 

For twenty-seven years he represent- 
ed the San Antonio Traction Company 
and for the past twenty-eight years has 
been General Counsel for the San An- 
tonio and Aransas Pass Railroad. Mr. 
Houston was married to Mrs. Sallie 
Moore Winstead in Austin in 1880, and 
they have two children, Miss Elizabeth 
Houston and A. W. Houston, Jr., who 
is practicing law with his distinguished 
father. 



JOHN H. CUNNINGHAM. 



There is no profession or calling in 
which men are engaged in which I re- 
gard the qualifications more severely 
exacting as in the practice of law. I 
have traveled extensivel3', and I have 
found it that way the world over. I 
do not mean by this assertion that it re- 
quires no especial effort of equipment 



to enter other professions, but I do 
claim that the actual qualifications for 
successful practice of law are far more 
exacting than in any other, and I feel 
I can readily substantiate this conten- 
tion with little or no effort. 

Still, with all that, the majority of 
men who have reached the higher pin- 



nacles of distinction in the world, were 
lawyers. Nearly every man who has oc- 
cupied the Presidency of these United 
States was a lawyer. 

, I do not recall a more enterprising 
and hard working attorney anywhere 
tlian John IT. Cunningliam, a man of 
many sterling traits of character. He 
is a native of Tennessee and was born 
in Centerville in 1878, scion of one 
of the best known families in that 
section. After completing his common 
schooling, he decided upon the prac- 
tice of law as his life 's work, and im- 
mediately began to equip himself in 
such manner, through diligent study and 
reading of law, until today, I can 
safely say, there is not a better equip- 
ped. young lawyer in the Southwest. 

Not only has he had the benefits 
of hard study from many volumes but 
he has received training under veterans 
whose knowledge of law was supreme in 
a way. Mr. Cunningham has appeared 
in many interesting cases before the 
State and Federal courts of the coun- 
try, and has met with a degree of suc- 



cess that is marked, indeed. This in- 
dicates the care and caution with which, 
as a trained attorney, he has always 
prepared his cases prior to entering in- 
to trial thereof. I have heard Mr. Cun- 
ningham in argument. In other words, 
I have seen the man "in action" to 
use a common slang phrase, and I have 
never listened to a more forceful, re- 
sourceful and tactful man anywhere. I 
do not say this due ti any efforts of 
flattery on my part, but in such I do 
not engage, bue merely upon a basis 
of absolute facts. There is little of 
the "flowery" nature about him, but 
to the contrary he deals with facts, 
liard cold facts, literally picks the tes- 
timony of witnesses to pieces, and 
makes the desired impression on court 
and jury. 

Mr. Cunningham is a member of the 
Travis Club, and affilliates with the 
Masons, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fel- 
lows and other well known bodies. In 
1902 he was married to Miss Eva Car- 
roll, in Nashville, Tennessee. 



JUDGE CLAUDE V. BIRKHEAD. 



In this state will be found some of 
the brightest men of the present era en- 
gaged in the daily practice of law, men 
who have long ago attained well earned 
distinction, and others, especially those 
of the younger generation who are 
climbing rapidly the ladder of success 
and fame. There is something, too, 
about a Texan not found, or at least 
noticed by me in all other parts of the 
country, and that is, that he does not 
appear to know what the meaning of 
the word "failure" is, but goes ahead, 
determined to win out, and in most in- 
stances, success usually crowns the ef- 
fort made. 

I do not recall a lawyer in San An- 
tonio, who has achieved a greater meas- 
ure of success than Judge C. V. Birk- 
head, junior member of the firm of 
Cunningham and Birkhead. 

Judge Birkhead is conceded one of 
the able men of the Texas bar today, 
and his success is the result of self- 



applied energy, for there is no man 
in the city who may be termed more 
truthfully a self-made man. 

During the time he was on the bench, 
he made a reputation that many older 
lawyers would much like to attain. 
During his incumbency many cases 
came before him that required the great- 
est care and consideration. In not a 
few of these, the most intricate prob- 
lems of law were presented. In such 
instances, however, Judge Birkhead 
was quick to settle any dispute that 
arose between opposing counsel. 

Yesterday, (March 14, 1913) a dis- 
tinguished lawyer in San Antonio made 
the remark to the author that "Claude 
Birkhead made one of the best judges 
we have ever had. He was one of the 
most thoroughly conscientious men I 
ever knew, and it was really a pleasure 
to enter into the trial of a case before 
such a man". 



Judge Birkhead is a native of 
Phoenix, Oregon, and was born in 1878, 
and after completing his common 
schooling, read law under some of the 
most brilliant attorneys of the country. 
He begun practice in Texas in Waco 
in 1900, coming to San Antonio in 1904, 
where he served nearly two years 
on the district bench, being appointed 
by Gov. Colquitt, following which he 



was elected for a full term of four years. 
Tie resigned, however, to enter private 
practice. Judge Birkhead wed Miss 
Lillian A. Guessaz, of this city. He 
is a member of the Travis Club, San 
Antonio Country Club, Automobile vjlub 
of San Antonio and also of the Elks, 
Odd Fellows, Woodmen and Knights of 
Pythias. 



THOMAS H. FRANKLIN. 



The buildings of cities begin with 
the work of foundation, but the super- 
structure comes as the result of the 
marked enterprise, professional and 
business ability of those who recog- 
nize in the complexity of interests the 
opportunity of the establishment and 
successful control of mammoth under- 
takings, the maintenance of which can 
only be assured by the enactment and 
enforcement of proper legislation. 

In all industries, avocations and pro- 
fessions, San Antonio has been singu- 
larly fortunate, for among those thus 
engaged are to be found some of the 
brainiest men of the country. One of 
the most distinguished lawyers in the 
Texas metropolis is Thomas H. Franklin, 
member of the well known legal firm of 
Denman, Franklin & McGown.. Mr. 
Franklin is a native of Louisiana, and 
was born in Ascension Parish in 1854. 
As a young man he encountered the 
same obstacles in attaining success in 
practice that fall to the lot of all be- 
ginners. 

As District Attorney of Austin, 



Blanco, Caldwell, Hays, Fayette and 
Bastrop Counties, he made a splendid 
name for himself. During his tenure of 
office, he gave all the work devolving 
upon the office the closest attention, 
and to his efforts is due the saving of 
many thousands of dollars to tax-payers. 

Mr. Franklin holds membership in 
several of the best known bodies in the 
country, among which are the Texas Bar 
Association, National Municipal League, 
San Antonio Country Club, Academy of 
Political Science, of New York, Acad- 
emy of Social Science of Philadelphia, 
National Art Club of New York and 
other organizations equally as well 
known. 

Mr. Franklin has appeared in many 
of the most important cases filed, prac- 
ticing in all the courts, State and Fed- 
eral. He speaks more along the hret- 
orical line. I regard him as one of the 
most forceful, yet brief, and convinc- 
ing speakers in the State of Texas, and 
the success with which he has met is 
the most conclusive proof of the im- 
pression made upon the court. 



JUDGE DON A. BLISS. 



In San Antonio are to te found 
some of the most brilliant lawyers in 
the entire Southwest, men who have 
either already established reputations 
or are rapidly doing so, men, who 
through their own individual efforts 
have made remarkable headway through 
life. 

It is generally conceded that the 
bench and bar of Texas is com- 



posed of men far above the ordi- 
nary. Of course this does not apply 
to every lawyer and jurist in the Lone 
Star State, but to the majority, men 
who have been well trained and who 
possess a superior knowledge of the 
fundamental principles of law. 

One of the most successful lawyers 
in San Antonio is Judge Don A. Bliss, 
former law partner of Judge John H. 



Clark, of whom coinment appears else- 
where in this volume. Judge Bliss is a 
native Mississippian, and was born n 
Artesia in 1854. He is a graduate of 
King College of Bristol, Tennessee, be- 
ing a member of the class of 1873. 

Tt would prove difficult to find a 
iiKiii who has been more active in life 
than Judge Bliss, for he has held sev- 
eral important positions of i»ublic trust. 
While living in Sherman, Texas, he was 
a member of the City Council of that 
place. He has served on the bench as 
a District Judge, in which capacity he 
soon demonstrated his knowledge of 
law. Frequently during the trial of 
cases, and arguments arising between 
counsel, some of the most intricate and 
complex problems of law would be 



brought up, and it was the al)le disposi- 
tion made of such matters that did 
much to earn for the distinguished law- 
yer the splendid reputation he today 
enjoys. 

In addition to the above he has 
served as a member of the school board 
of San Antonio. He believes stroilgly 
in according to children who attend, the 
city schools every advantage possible 
and has always voted in that manner, 
wherever he_ felt it the best thing to 
do under existing conditions. 

Judge Bliss is a Mason. He wed Miss 
Mary M. Hampton, a native of Collins 
County, Texas, in 1875. " As a member 
of the legal profession he stands high 
in the esteem of his eolleayrues. 



FLOYD McGOWN. 



I know of no calling in life in which 
the requirements are so exacting, the 
qualifications so numerous as found 
in the practice of law. Another thing 
which I have noticed, and doubtless 
many others have done the same thing, 
and that is the high percentages of the 
men who are members of this profes- 
sion. 

In San Antonio, one of the most 
prominent attorneys is Floyd McGown, 
member of one of the most prominent 
legal firms in the country, that of Den- 
man, Franklin & McGown. 

Floyd McGown was born in Texas, 
at La Grange in 1862, and is a graduate 
of one of the best known institutions 
of Tennessee, Cumberland University, 
he being a member of the class of 1883, 
from which he secured his law and 
A. M. degree. He is also a graduate of 
Trinity University, which gave him his 
A. B. degree in 1887. Mr. McGown 
was wedded to Miss Eliza M. Davis, of 
Jacksonville, Texas. 



Mr. McGown has appeared in all the 
courts. State and Federal, either as 
counsel representing plaintiff or de- 
fendant. In some litigation he has 
given first impressions, practically pio- 
neering the law. 

There are few better known speakers 
in the State than Mr. McGown. His 
arguments are practical, sound in char- 
acter and convincing. He discusses 
what I would term the "merit" of the 
ease, and presents it in such a manner 
that he cannot possibly be misunder- 
stood. Many attorneys depend almost 
entirely upon emotion or "flowery" 
language brought into play, and while 
it many times means success before 
a jury, it does not always terminate 
in that manner, by any means. 

It is sound, practical, straight for- 
ward argument that tells, and not only 
Mr. McGown, but other members of 
his splendid firm go upon the basis 
of logical argument for success, and an 
intelligent presentation of their cases. 



JUDGE THOMAS M. PASCHAL. 



A well known National character 
once made the remark, in the course of 
an address that "in all this world, the 



supreme thing worth having is the op- 
portunity, coupled with the capacity 
to do well and worthily a piece of 



work, the doing of which shall be of 
vital significance to all mankind." 

Neither can I recall a man in San 
Antonio or elsewhere to whom this 
would more aptly apply than Judge 
Thomas M. Paschal, a man whose name 
is known throughout the Southwest, and 
during whose entire service as a pub- 
lic official not one charge was ever filed 
againfet him of unfairness in discharge 
of duty. 

Judge Paschal is a native of Louisi- 
ana and was born in 184.5, scion of 
an old and honored family. After com- 
pleting his collegiate course he decid- 
ed upon the practice of law as a life- 
work. 

Judge Paschal has perhaps held more 
public offices than any other man in 
San Antonio. The first was that of 
Justice of the Peace. In his capacity as 
City Attorney of San Antonio he proved 
in my opinion, one of the most watchful 
men of the municipality's interest ever 
in that office. lie defended San An- 
tonio's interests in several Important 
cases, and at all times demonstrated 
that he was well prepared to discharge 
his duties in that connection. 

As United States Commissioner for 
the Western District of Texas, and as 
United States Extradition Agent, he 
again " demonstrated his splendid ca- 
pacity and thorough understanding of 
law. 

He afterwards served as Judge of 
the Criminal Court of Bexar County as 
well as Judge of the Twenty-fourth and 
Thirty-eighth District Courts. In his 
occupancy of the bench. Judge Paschal 



made one of the most popular jurists 
of the State. It made no difference 
whether the litigants were so poor as 
to be unable to employ counsel them- 
selves or whether they were magnates 
possessing unlimited wealth, each and 
every one received the same careful 
study and consideration. 

As congressman from the Tenth Dis- 
trict Judge Paschal, as in all public 
offices held by him, stood as a cham- 
pion of the peoples' interests. By na- 
ture, a splendid speaker, a man of great 
logic and possessed of intellectual train- 
ing, he soon proved himself one of the 
best known of the lawyer members of 
the great National law-making body. 

A peculiar incident to the career of 
this well known man, according to my 
information is that he was never op- 
posed by any one at any time for any 
public honor, except in his race for 
congress and his first race for District 
Judge. 

Judge Paschal is a graduate of St. 
Mary's College of San Antonio and also 
in law, of Centre College of Danville, 
Ky., being a member of the class in the 
latter institution of 1866. 

The judge holds active membership 
in the National Geographic Society, the 
Travis Club, International Club, 
and Chamber of Commerce, in addition 
to affiliating with such bodies as the 
Phi Delta Sci Society, Texas Histori- 
cal Association, Frio Chapter and Coun- 
cil Masonic Fraternity. In 1872, Judge 
Paschal was married to Miss Florida E. 
Mays in San Antonio. 



JOHN M. ESKRIDGE. 



One thing I have had my attention 
attracted by, is the unusual number of 
successful young lawyers in San Anto- 
nio. It has for the past few years 
been the contention that the young 
men of the country were slowly but 
surely taking hold of the large inter- 
ests of the world, and I have seen 
no stronger indications of its truth- 
fulness than right here in the Lone 
Star State. 



One of the most successful lawyers of 
San Antonio is John Marshall Eskridge, 
member of the well known law firm of 
Cobbs, Eskridge & Cobbs. 

Mr. Eskridge is a native of Tennessee 
and was born in Dresden in 1877, scion 
of one of the oldest and best known 
families in that section. After complet- 
ing his common schooling, young Esk- 
ridge entered Fulton College, and after 
finishing was awarded his diploma. He 



had previously decided upon the prac- 
ttice of law as his life's work, and en- 
tered the University of Texas, <fradu- 
ating from its law department. 

Mr. Eskridge is considered one of 
the most representative attorneys of the 
Texas bar, and while serving in the ca- 
pacity of City Attorney demonstrated 
that great confidence could readily be 
placed in his knowledge of law, not a 
few of the matters coming before him 
during his tenure of office, involving 
questions of the most intricate and 
complex character. 

He appears often in the State and 
Federal courts, and the success with 
which he has met, has been marked. In 
fact, I do not recall any man of his 
age, who has achieved a greater de- 
gree of distinction in the practice of 
his profession in the State. 

Mr. Eskridge, in argument has little 
use for the so-called "flowery" ex- 
pressions resorted to by some lawyers. 
He believes in dealing with facts, elim- 
inating all sentiment and taking the 
evidence submitted as the fundamental 
basis upon which to proceed. 



Mr. Eskridge was wedded in 1908 to 
Miss May B. Willacy, in Corpus Christi, 
Texas, the daughter of John G. Wil- 
lacy, a distinguished State Senator. 

The Eskridge family is one of the 
oldest in the United States, dating 
back many generations, through Colo- 
nial times. The family history is one 
of the most interesting in print, and 
deals graphically with the various an- 
cestors and their time of living. 

Tn "Mother of Washington and Her 
Times", by Mrs. Roger A. Pryor, and 
wliich is on file in the Carnegie 
Library in San Antonio, full informa- 
tion pertaining to the colonial connec- 
tions of Mr. Eskridge may be had. In 
looking through its interesting pages, 
I find that General George Washing- 
ton was named for Major George Esk- 
ridge, the latter being the great-great- 
great grandfather of the subject of 
my comment. Through intermarriage, 
I also found that the Eskridge family 
was related to the Washington and Lee 
families of Virginia. 

Mr. Eskridge is a member of the 
Travis Club, Laurel Heights Golf Club, 
Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Gulf Shore Hunt- 
ing and Fishing Club and others. 



DR. ROBERT F. MILLER 



That San Antonio has several of the 
best known specialists in the Southwest, 
cannot be questioned. They are men, 
who, well equipped for their life-work, 
stand on a par with the foremost prac- 
titioners of the country. 

One of the most prominent men in 
the medical profession in Texas, is Dr. 
Robert Finney Miller. He is a native 
Texan and was born in Washington 
County in 1866, seoin of one of the most 
prominent families of the State, his 
ancestry being easily traced back to 
Colonial times. 

■ Prior to entering practice, Dr. Miller 
determined to equip himself as 
thoroughly as possible and allowed noth- 
ing to deter him in that purpose. He 
studied in America, in Vienna and Ber- 
lin. The result of that earlier training 
is that today, I believe, he has one of 



the best practices in San Antonio, not- 
withstanding his branch is considered 
the most difficult in the profession, 
diseases of the ear, eye, nose and throat. 

Dr. Miller graduated from the Uni- 
versity of Texas in 1888, taking the 
degree of C. L. that year, and in the 
following year had bestowed upon him 
the degree of A. B. At Tulane Uni- 
versity, New Orleans, La., he had the 
M. D. degree conferred upon him in 
1893. He was one of the first 
externes of the Charity Hospital, New 
Orleans. 

No man in Texas enjoys a better 
military record than Dr. Miller. His 
popularity and capacity are both in- 
dicated by the ranks he has held in that 
connection. In 1901 he served the 
National Guard as Lieutenant. The 
year following, as well as in 1903, he 



carrie<l the rank of captain, and from 
1903 to 1907 served with the rank of 
Major in the Medical Department. 

Dr. Miller lived in St. Louis from 
1906 to 1911 and was while there chief 
oculist for the Frisco Eailway System. 
His love for Texas brought him back 
to his native State in 1911 and he set- 
tled in San Antonio. 

For a year he served the North Texas 
Medical Association as President, and 
for several years was Treasurer of the 
Texas State Medical Association. Dr. 
Miller is an active member of the Am- 
erican Medical Association, Texas State 
Medical Association, Bexar County 
Medical Association, Missouri Medical 
Association, (Ophthalunic section) and 
other fraternal and professional bodies. 

He is also an active member of the 
Society of Colonial Wars, The Stewart 
Society of Scotland, the Society of the 
Sons of the Revolution, the Scientific 
Society, the San Antonio Country 
Club, San Antonio Club, the Travis 
Club, Casino Association, the Elks (a 
Past Exalted Ruler), Young Men's 
Christian Association, San Jacinto Cotil- 
lion, San Antonio German Club and 
other organ'-izations of equal promi- 
nence. 

His father, the Reverend James Wes- 
ton Miller, D. D., was born in Pennsyl- 
vania (Erie County), in 1815, and came 
as a. Missionarv to what is now the 



First Presbyterian Church of Houston, 
Texas, in 1844, during the days of the 
Republic and was installed as pastor 
in 1847, the first installation in Texas. 
His health failed in 1850 and he settled 
in Washington County, Texas, where 
he established a female school and con- 
tinued it till his death in 1888. 

Dr. Miller's mother was directly de- 
scended from the High Stewarts of 
Scotland, through the same family lines 
as the Earl of Galloway, and Sir Harry 
Stewart Bart of Fort Stewart, Ireland. 

Dr. Miller's mother was named 
Elizabeth Scott Stewart for her grand- 
mother, the wife of Galbraith Stewart. 
Mrs. Miller and her mother, Mary 
Cummins, were both born in an old 
home in Brooke County (West), Vir- 
ginia, near Bethany College. This 
house was built in 1783 by Robert Cum- 
mins, her grandfather, an Ensign in the 
Revolution, and is still occupied. 

Dr. Miller has been accepted in Rev- 
olutionary Societies on the record of 
eight ancestors who were officers and 
in the Colonial Wars Society he has 
completed the records of 157 ancestors 
who were in the Colonial forces — this 
by the way is the world's record, the 
next being a Massachusetts man 
who has 123 such records. No wonder 
that Dr. Miller's hobby is ancestors 
and war societies. 



WILLIAM AUBREY. 



One of the leading lawyers of the 
State. Mr. Aubrey is not a native of 
Texas, but was born in Oklahoma, at 
Nobite, in 1853. After completing his 
early educational training he decided 
upon the practice of law for his life- 
work, and began to equip himself for 
such. His reputation as a counsellor 
is of the very highest. He is regarded 



as one of the most brilliant men, in 
fact, of the local bar, while his success 
has been marked. 

Mr. Aubrey is a member of several of 
the leading organizations of the city, 
among which are the San Antonio Club, 
San Antonio Country Club, Travis Club 
and others. He wed Miss Eugenia 
Deering Speer, at Athens, Georgia. 



DR. W. B. RUSS 



Dr. W. B. Russ, one of the most 
prominent surgeons of the city, was 
born in Louisiana in 1874. After com- 



pleting his common schooling he entered 
the TTniversity of Pennsylvania, from 
which he graduated wnth the M. D. 



degree in 1898. Following this, he took 
postgraduate courses in Philadelphia 
until 1901, since which time he has 
been in active daily practice, de- 
voting his practice to surgery. In 1909, 
Dr. Kuss served as President of the 
State Medical Association of Texas, be- 



ing the youngest man to have held that 
office, and was a member of its legis- 
lative committee, which put through 
several important health acts. Dr. Russ 
was married to Miss Jean C. McGrath 
in 1900. 



REV. DR. ARTHUR G. JONES 



I do not recall a more universally 
sucessful minister in San Antonio than 
Rev. Dr. Arthur G. Jones, pastor of the 
First Presbyterian Church, a man of 
high intellectual attainments. 

In San Antonio are a unmber of the 
best known divines in the Southwest, 
and I would have liked to have com- 
mented upon each and every one, but 
my space was limited, and therefore, 
prevented such action. They are all 
good men, though, and well thought of. 



Of Dr. Jones, personally, I never met 
a more thoroughly conscientious man, 
calm, dignified, entirely devoted to his 
work, he has accomplished a great deal, 
both in and out of his church, and en- 
joys the highest respect and esteem of 
the general public. 

His church is one of the handsomest 
houses of worship in the city, while 
the congregation itself is quite large, 
made up for the most part of the rep- 
resentative class of citizenship of San 
Antonio. 



H. C. CARTER 



There are men in San Antonio en- 
gaged in the practice of law generally, 
and there are men engaged in special 
branches, such as commercial law, pat- 
ent law, corporation^ law and other 
branches. One of the most successful 
lawyers of the city and also the State 
is H. C. Carter, member of the well 
know legal firm of Carter and Lewis, 



the latter being Perry Lewis, and both 
of whom are brilliant men, indeed. Mr. 
Carter, as well as his partner, are both 
regarded as the best damage suit law- 
yers in the State, men of the highest 
intellectual training, who, as a result 
of sucess gained through will directed 
effort, have established reputations that 
stand without a superior anywhere. 



D. J. WOODWARD 



Closely associated with the develop- 
ment and advancement of Texas, father 
of one of the most enterprising little 
cities in the State, cultivator of many 
hundreds of acres of the most fertile 
soil, a strong believer in the future of 
the empire commonwealth of the South- 
west, is as appropriate description of 
D. J. Woodward, as I believe I can 
write. He was born in Mississippi in 
1864, and when an infant three years 
of age was brought to Texas, where he 
resided in Anderson County until 1882. 

Until 1886, Mr. Woodward devoted 
much of his time and attention to his 
ranch in Presidio County, and then lo- 
cated in San Antonio, since which time 



he has been regarded as, one of the pro- 
gressive, wide-awake business men of 
the city. He graduated from one of the 
business colleges here in 1887, and two 
years later wed Miss Mary Bock, of 
San Marcos. 

Mr. Woodward for sometime was en- 
gaged in the carriage business here and 
handled many of the finest horses ever 
sold in this locality. He gave close at- 
tention to every detail of the business 
and soon built up a trade throughout 
the Southwest that stood easily on a 
par with the larger concerns, similar in 
character, in other parts of the country. 
His business in fact, was the largest of 
its kind in the Southwest. 



He began the cultivation of a thous- 
and acre farm, giving it his personal 
attention, and bringing it up to all 
modern day improvements. To this he 
has since added two thousand or more 
acres. Woodward, Texas, one of the 
livest towns in the Lone Star State is 
named for its promoter, D. J. Wood- 
ward, for it was he and none other, 
who stood at the helm, and put it on the 
map. To D. J. Woodward it owes its 
birth. 

^N'oodward Vichy Water, which has 
been drunk from coast to coast was 
developed by Mr. Woodward. Since 
locating in San Antonio, he has erected 
many houses, and dealt in many pieces 
of the most desirable realty. He has 
certainly done his full part in pushing 
San Antonio to the front, and never 



allows anything to deter him from do- 
ing all in his power to advance the 
city's interests. , 

As an after-dinner speaker there is no 
man in Texas his superior. He has 
attended many of the banquets tend- 
ered, as a guest of honor, and at no time 
has he failed to address his friends, 
who persistently called upon him. He 
is a man of considerable wit, filled with 
emotion, bright, genial, cordial, and 
withal, a polished gentleman. 

Mr. Woodward is, naturally, a Demo- 
crat, being a Texan. He is a member 
of the Knights Templar, a Mason, and 
belongs to the Chamber of Commerce. 
Mr. and Mrs. Woodward have three 
children, Kaymond Clark, Miss Hazel 
and D. J. Woodward, Jr. 



JUDGE JOHN F. ONION 



In San Antonio ten years ago, al- 
though the city at that time was mak- 
ing a heroic effort to attract the atten- 
tion of the world, in order to gain the 
foothold that brings prominence to 
every locality, it cannot be compared in 
any instance, with what has been really 
accomplished since then. Even at Irhat 
time some of the brightest barristers of 
the Southwest were located here, but 
since th^n, many others have taken up 
their residence. 

I do not recall a lawyer in San An- 
tonio whose supcess has been more 
marked than that of the well known 
attorney to whom this comment refers 
— Judge John F. Onion, Sr., one of the 
best known members of the legal pro- 
fession in this section of the country. 
Judge Onion, during his general prac- 
tice in San Antonio, has appeared as 
counsel, representing either plaintiff or 
defendant, in some of the most im- 
portant cases that have come before the 
courts, and the almost universal success 
with which he has met, to my mind, 
clearly indicates the care he exercises in 
the preparation of his cases prior to 
entering trial. 

Judge Onion is Vice President of the 



San Antonio Life Insurance Company 
of Texas, in addition to being the com- 
pany's General Counsel. He is also 
Vice President of the Southwestern 
Casualty Company, and its General 
Counsel. It is a well established fact 
that insurance companies, the nature of 
whose affairs require the services of 
attorneys, must necessarily have only 
such men as are exceptionally capable. 
,The selection of Judge Onion for 
these two important posts is a splendid 
tribute to the man, and a just reward 
for his magnificent knowledge of law 
and the proper application thereof. 

In argument before court and jury, 
r regard him as one of the most con- 
vincing speakers in the State of Texas. 
He is a man who has no patience with 
the sham and abhors the pretender. 

Judge Onion is Past Grand Chancellor 
of the Knights of Pythias of Texas, 
and has served eight years as Supreme 
Representative, an office he still holds. 
He married Miss Ada B. Preston, of 
Houston, a highly accomplished woman, 
noted throughout the Southwest for her 
dramatic ability, and has frequently 
appeared in amateur theatricals among 
her friends. 



In 1893 Judge Onion served in the 
Texas Legislature from Smith County, 
and in the Twenty-Eighth, Twenty- 
Ninth and Thirtieth Legislatures he 



served from Bexar County. Prior to 
locating in San Antonio, he was a law 
partner of former United States Sena- 
tor Horace Chilton in Tyler, Texas. 



DR. A. G. CHUECH 



There are many men whose industry 
has won them success, men who through 
perseverance and diligence, execute well 
defined plans which others have made, 
while those who take the initiative are 
comparatively few. The vast majority 
do not seem to realize the opportunities 
for co-ordination of forces, and the 
rapid development of new ideas. It is 
true, nevertheless. 

Dr. A. G. Church, of San Antonio, 
belongs to what I would term the "in- 
itiative" class. The world bows in 
deference to those, who through the 
proper application of their faculties, 
accomplish ends that revert, either di- 
rectly or indirectly to the material wel- 
fare of the public. 

Dr. Church is a native of the State 
of Nebraska, and was born in Dor- 
chester in 1878. His early educational 
advantages or training were derived 
from the public schools, and in addition 
he is graduate of the great Osteopath 
institution, located at Kirksville, 
Missouri. 

As an Osteopathic physician, he has 
met with marked success. Dr. Church 



has gained a reputation as an Obstetri- 
cian that stands second to none, and is 
considered an authority on that partic- 
ular branch of practice. Notwithstand- 
ing the major portion of his time is 
well occupied in the discharge of his 
professional duties, he finds time to 
take part in the deliberations of the 
profession, and holds the office of Pres- 
ident of the Bexar County Osteopathic 
Association, composed of the most prom- 
inent Osteopathic physicians in the 
county. 

At the sessions of this body of pro- 
fessional men he has read papers of the 
widest scope of importance before his 
colleagues, and his writings have been 
liberally reproduced in the Osteopathic 
press. 

Dr. Church graduated in 1906, after- 
wards locating in Texas the following 
year. He came to San Antonio in 1910, 
sinc£ which time he has practiced his 
profession. He wed Miss Juanita Eld- 
ridge, of Clear Lake Isle, la., in 1903. 
Dr. Church is a member of the Bexar 
County Osteopathic Society and also 
the National Society, and belongs to 
the Woodmen, Elks and Odd Fellows. 



JUDGE GEORGE POWELL 



I have often made the contention 
that it makes no difference how well a 
man may be trained for the practice of 
law, or of medicine, or of any other 
profession, unless he has a natural 
talent for it, his success will not be as 
pronounced. This contention I have 
seen substantiated in more instances 
than one. Some young men entering 
upon the practice of law, after having 
won their diplomas in the greatest law 
colleges of the world, fail for this 
reason to climb as rapidly as public 
opinion would think they should, whilst 
on the other hand, young men have en- 



tered the field, without college training, 
and who gained their admission to the 
bar as the result of hard work in some 
law office, where they poured over vol- 
ume after volume of Blackstone, and 
gained the sound, practical, daily ex- 
perience of being brought into direct 
contact with experienced lawyers, and 
have as a result climbed quickly, and 
some of them today are among the most 
lirilliant lawyers of the United States. 
In my opinion one of the most de- 
pendable lawyers of San Antonio is 
.ludge George Powell. By "dependable" 
I mean a man to whom any matter of 



20 



paramount importance maj'- be intrusted 
for the faithful care of such, whether in 
legal work or otherwise. 

I would classify Judge Powell as a 
' ' self-made ' ' man, who as the result 
of his own efforts, has attained that 
distinction to which all aspire and 
many fall short of. The reputation he 
has succeeded in establishing is the re- 
sult of care, painstaking effort, and an 
earnest desire to gain only that to 
which he has a right. 

In argument before courts and juries, 
he is a thoroughly logical man. If oc- 
casion warrants he can resort to the 
bitterest sarcasm. It is something, 
however, he much dislikes, and avoids 



it when he can. He prefers to deal 
with facts brought out in evidence, and 
it is upon this that he builds his argu- 
ment, literally picking to pieces the 
testimony of witnesses. 

Judge Powell is one of the calm, dig- 
nified attorneys of the Texas bar. • He 
has no patience with a sham and ab- 
hors the pretender. He strikes, as I 
have said, in the open, and hits hard. 
A man of high intellectual training, 
well read, and a deep thinker, ne culti- 
vates and enjoys friendships as few 
men can. There is ample room for such 
men as Judge Powell in all cities, in 
all parts of the civilized world. It is 
such men who help to build and after- 
wards maintain large cities. 



JUDGE GEORGE W. HUNTRESS 



There can scarcely be any question 
but what the contention made that the 
young men of the country are gaining 
marked advantages, and are today the 
dominating spirit in many matters of 
the greatest importance, is literally 
true. In San Antonio, this fact is more 
noticeable than ever. They have closely 
applied themselves and gone about it 
with vim and determination. As an il- 
lustration of what I mean to convey, I 
will cite the case of Judge George W. 
Huntress, senior member of the legal 
firm of Huntress and Keller. 

Judge Huntress is one of the 
most resourceful lawyers in the State. 
He has had splendid training, having 
served under such distinguished jurists 
as Judge Leroy G. Denman, T. H. 
Franklin, Floyd McGown and Judge 
Thomas D. Cobbs, of whom comments 
will be found in this work. AlwaA^s a 
close student, Mr. Huntress more dili- 
gently applied himself than ever, never 
failing to take full advantage of every 
legitimate opportunity that presented 
itself. 

The judge has appeared in State 
and Federal Courts, as counsel represent- 
ing plaintiff or defendant. I have seen 



him arrayed against the most talented 
counsel of the State, and not in a 
single instance, has he ever taken a 
"back-seat" for any of them, figura- 
tively speaking, but has contended for 
every right of his client, and fought 
and contested every inch of the way. 
Disclaiming any title to oratorical 
ability, nevertheless he is considered a 
sound and logical speaker. On the 
bench, Judge Huntress made one of 
the most careful jiirists the county has 
yet had, and but one of his decisions 
was reversed. 

In not a few of the cases in which 
Mr. Huntress has appeared, some of 
the most intricate and complex problems 
of law have arisen, and the manner in 
which he responded to every emergency 
is the strongest indication of the pre- 
paration he had made for trial. There 
is certainly no question in my mind 
but what George W. Huntress will, in 
the course of a few years be regarded 
as one of the most brilliant legal lights 
of the Southwest. He is a native of 
Texas, and was born in San Antonio 
in 1871. He wed Miss Emma Glaeser in 
1891. 



M. H. TOWNSEND 



It is not every man, although will 
trained and highly educated, who makes 
a success of life, regardless of what 
line of industry or what profession he 
might be engaged in. In all of my ex- 
perience I have found that it is the 
man who is capable of applying that 
training and the knowledge that comes 
from it. 

Of the many successful lawyers of 
San Antonio, I know of none whose 
headway has been greater than that 
of Senator Marcus H. Townsend, one 
of the most prominent barristers in the 
Southwest, a man of great intellectual 
training, a deep thinker, splendid ora- 
tor, and a man who while serving his 
State as Senator, joined in some of the 
warmest debates upon the floor of the 
Senate, contending at all times for the 
rights of the public, and thereby en- 
dearing himself to thousands. 

Senator Townsend is a native of the 
Lone Star State and first saw the 
light of day in 1858. After completing 
his common schooling, he decided to 
enter the practice of law as his life's 



work, and immodately begun prepara- 
tions for its study. 

lie has served his State, not only as 
State Senator, but also in the lower 
house of the Texas Legislature, and 
worked heroically, almost day and 
night, for the appropriation of the 
$20,000.00 for the purchase of the 
Alamo, and was chairman of the com- 
mittee that bought it. 

It was in the Eighteenth Legislature 
that he served in the lower house, he 
residing at Columbus, Colorado County, 
Texas. It was in 1889 that he served in 
the Senate of the State. 

Senator Townsend is a member of the 
Travis Club, also of the fraternal or- 
ders of Woodmen, Macabees, Praetorians 
and others. He was wedded in 1883 
to Miss Annie E. Burford, a highly 
accomplished and charming woman. 

As a lawyer, no man stands higher 
in the profession. He has appeared time 
and time and time again as counsel, 
representing either plaintiff or defen- 
dant in some of the most important 
cases before the courts. 



AVERY L. MATLOCK 



Of the many distinguished members 
of the legal profession in San Antonio, 
who have established for themselves 
reputations, not confined to the limits 
of the State, I do not recall a man 
whose record is more clean than that 
of Senator Avery L. Matlock. 

Senator Matlock is a native Tennes- 
seean. He was born in Roan County, 
1852, scion of one of the oldest and 
best known families in that section of 
the South. After graduating from 
Union and Jefferson College, Senator 
Matlock begun to lay plans for the 
proper equipment of himself for enter- 
ing the legal profession, and took up 
the study of law. He is a graduate of 
Lebanon University, being a member of 
the class of 1871 and 1872. 

Senator Matlock 'served as County 
Attorney of Montague County from 



1875 to 1878, in which capacity he 
demonstrated his splendid knowledge 
of law, and has a record probably of 
convicting more criminals than any 
other similar officer. He served as a 
member of the State Legislature and of 
the Texas State Senate. In several of 
the keenest and hottest fought debates 
on the floor of the Senate, Senator 
Matlock took part. Being a man of 
exceptional oratorical ability, his en- 
trance in;to a debate was always 
watched with close attention. 

The same magnificent success with 
which the Senator always met in the 
legislative body of the Commonwealth, 
and which brought him to public atten- 
tion as the father and strong supporter 
of bills, since become the best laws of 
the State, has crowned his efforts in 
his private practice. 



22 



I have heard few lawyers make as 
convincing argument in a court room as 
Senator Matlock. If occasion warrants, 
he can be as bitterly sarcastic as any 
man I ever knew, while on the other 
hand, he can as quickly change to the 
use of the most rhetorical language. 

Senator Matlock is a Mason and 
holds active membership in the Travis 
and San Antonio Clubs, as well as the 
various bar associations. He was wed- 
ded to Miss Susan P. Hyman in 1903 



in Ft. Worth, Texas. The couple have 
one child, a daughter, Euth, now in her 
eighth year, and an unusually bright 
child of her age, the sunshine of her 
parents home.. In closing my comment, 
let me say there is ample room in 
Texas as elsewhere for men of the 
capacity* and ability of Senator Mat- 
lock. It is such men who build great 
commercial centers, and such men to 
whom the people look. 



DR. J. M. STRAYHORN 



I know of no profession, however, 
the requirements of which are more 
consistently exacting than found in the 
practice., of medicine. It makes abso- 
lutely no difference how well versed a 
man may be in medicine, or how long 
he had devoted to its study, nor how 
many colleges he may have attended, 
unless he possesses the faculty for put- 
ting that knowledge to practical use, 
he becomes a failure. 

In San Antonio I find some of the 
most learned physicians of the South- 
west, the majority being engaged in 
the practice of medicine generally and 
in surgery. Others are engaged in the 
practice of certain branches, to which 
they devote their full time and atten- 
tion. 

Of the leading physicians and sur- 
geons of the city, I can recall none 
who enjoys greater prestige, nor who 
has met with more universal success 
than Dr. John Marshall Strayhorn. 

Dr. Strayhorn is a native of Texas 
and was born in 1864 in Williamson 



County. After completing his common 
schooling, he attended the Southwestern 
University and also the Texas Military 
Institute, after which he entered the 
Medical Department of the University 
of Tennessee, one of the best colleges in 
the country. From this institution he 
graduated in 1893. 

Dr. Strayhorn is well known in 

Masonry, being closely affiliated with 
Masonic bodies in Texas and has taken 
a,n active part in their councils. In 
addition, he holds membership in the 
Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Elks, 
Red Men and other social and fraternal 
orders. He is also a member of various 
prominent medical or professional 
bodies. 

His skill has won for him one of the 
most lucrative and representative prac- 
tices in the city. He is a man of con- 
siderable civic pride and has always 
done his full part in all movements hav- 
ing for their purpose the advancement 
of the interests of San Antonio. 



S. G. TAYI.OE 



Without the proper character of citi- 
zenry no community can hope to at- 
tain that degree of success that has 
won for many, reputations and advan- 
tages that have brought thousands 
of dollars of outside capital into their 
midst. Although it makes little or 
no difference in what industry men may 
be engaged, so long as it is legitimate, 



I have found in my travels about the 
country, from Maine to California, and 
back again, and crosswise, that the 
majority of the leading men of the 
United States are those engaged in the 
daily practice of law. 

Indeed there is scarcely any under- 
taking of any note but what their 
services must be called in, their ad- 



23 



vice sought, and it is upon such advice 
that great world-wide projects are un- 
dertaken. 

I recall no lawyer in San Antonio, 
Texas, whose success has been more 
constant than that of the distinguished 
barrister to whom this particular com- 
ment refers — Samuel Green Tayloe, — 
junior member of the legal firm of 
Swearingen and Tayloe. Mr. Tayloe is 
a native of Missouri, and was born in 
St. Joseph in 1868. After completing 
his common schooling, as a young man 
he decided upon the practice of law 
as his life work, and immediately took 
up its study, reading Blaekstone under 
several able jurists. 

Mr. Tayloe has appeared in the State 
and Federal Courts in not a little of 
the mds't important litigation, and the 
splendid success with which he has met 
is indicative of the carefulness exer- 
cised in the preparation of ,his cases 
prior to entering trial. In not a few of 



these cases, the most intricate and com- 
plex problems of law have arisen, but 
as a prominent lawyer remarked to me 
yesterday (March 10, 1913): "Tayloe 
has never been caught napping yet." 

Mr. Tayloe was wedded in 1892 
to Miss May Callaghan in Ozena, Texas, 
and is a member of several of the lead- 
ing organizations of the city. State and 
county, among which are the Travis 
Club, International Club, Chamber of 
Commerce, Woodmen and Masons. 

In argument before court and jury, 
he is forceful and convincing. He con- 
fines himself to the facts. I have seen 
him literally riddle the testimony of a 
witness, and his appeals to the jury 
are invariably based upon facts as they 
are viewed from his side of the case. 
At times in argument, he beconlies bit- 
terly sarcastic and many lawyers have 
felt his keen thrusts. He only resorts 
to that, however, where the occasion 
demands it. 



PATRICK H. SWEARINGEN 



Population considered,- as well a* 
geographical location, I have never, as 
yet, been in any community, that rep- 
resents the air of universal prosperity 
found in San Antonio. Furthermore, in 
all walks of life, in all professions, in 
all industries, I find dauy engaged 
some of the most capable men of the 
country. 

Particularly is this true in the prac- 
tice of law. Some of the brainiest 
lawyers in the United States are resi- 
dents of San Antonio, and their success 
was long ago attained. I can recall 
no man who has advanced more rapidly 
nor who stands higher throughout the 
State than Patrick H. Swearingen, 
senior member of the legal firm of 
Swearingen and Tayloe. 

Mr. Swearingen is a native of the 
lone star commonwealth and was born 
in 1865 in • Washington County, scion 
of one of the oldest and most promi- 
nent families in that section of the 
State. After attending the common 
schools, he entered the University of 
Texas, and graduated from that famous 



old institution, being a member of the 
class of 1887, and shortly afterwards 
was admitted to the bar as a practicing 
attorney, in which calling he has been 
actively engaged ever since, and today 
is recognized as one of the most bril- 
liant men of the Texas bar. 

In 1891 Mr. Swearingen was wedded 
to Miss Winnie McCraw at Austin. He 
is an active Mason, and holds member- 
ship in several of the more important 
organizations and social bodies in the 
State, among which are the bar associa- 
tions, the Travis Club, International 
Club, San Antonio Country Club, San 
Antonio Club, Chamber of Commerce, 
the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and others 
equally as well known. 

I do not believe I have ever heard 
an argument in which more force, more 
expression is used than by Mr. Swearin- 
gen. He confines himself, while talking 
to juries, to the facts of the case in 
question. He can be emotional or he 
can be bitterly sarcastic in argument, 
as occasion warrants, yet at all times 
he is calm, dignified and enjoys and 
cultivates friendships as few men can 
do.. 



24 



HENRY T. PHELPS 



When I traveled over the State of 
Texas and then in San Antonio, T 
had pointed out to me mammoth 
business structures, churches, residences 
and other handsome structures, and 
was told that they were, for the most 
part built after plans prepared by 
local architects of San Antonio — well, I 
was surprised, to say the least. I knew 
that in San Antonio there were several 
good architects, but I did not know 
that some of the best in the country 
were located here. 

Of the architects of the city, to 
whose skill huge structures stand as 
monuments, I can recall none who has 
attained a greater distinction in their 
work than Henry T. Phelps. 

Mr. Phelps was born in 1871, in 
Victoria County, Texas. After complet- 
ing his common schooling he decided 
he would like best to enter the pro- 
fession of Architecture, and as a result, 
and with determination to win, he en- 
tered upon its study. He is a graduate 
of the University of Texas, being a 
member of the class of 1889. 

There are several magnificent struc- 
tures adorning San Antonio today, con- 
structed on lines in accord with Mr. 
Phelps' plans. After preparing plans 



for large buildings, Mr. Phelps con- 
siiders it the duty of the architect 
<;o see to it that they are adhered to 
— not generally speaking, but absolutely 
so, even down to the minutest detail, 
and he has always made it a part of his 
business to see to it that this is done, 
and on more than one occasion he has 
ordered contractors to literally "tear 
out" certain work and do it over again, 
in order to conform more closely with 
the plans. This has won for him the 
confidence of the building public, and 
no architect anywhere in the Southwest 
has had his efforts more generally 
crowned with success than H. T. Phelps. 

Politically, Mr. Phelps is a Democrat. 
Being a native Texan, he could scarcely 
afford to be anything else. He holds 
active membership in the Odd Fellows 
and has always been active in their 
councils. He is also a member of the 
Elks, and belongs to the San Antonio 
Country Club, Chamber of Commerce 
and similar important bodies. 

In 1905 he was married to Miss Laura 
Clamp, daughter of C. C. Clamp, one 
of the best known lawyers of the Texas 
State bar, a man of powerful influence 
and one of the leading attorneys of the 
commonwealth. 



JESUS A. FERNANDEZ 



San Antonio is indeed fortunate in 
numbering among its residents some 
of the foremost consular officals in 
the service of the foreign countries, 
men of broad gauged views, deep think- 
ers and well trained in State and dip- 
lomatic affairs. 

I have always made the contention, 
that it makes little or no difference 
how well educated a man might be, so 
far as common or collegiate training 
may be concerned, unless a man is 
especially equipped for the diplomatic 
or consular service, he will soon meet 
with failure. That Mexico is well rep- 
resented in the United States there is 
no doubt. Some of that country's most 
brilliant men are in the diplomatic 



and consular service of the progressive 
Republic, and are doing much to cement 
the friendship of the two nations. 

Jesus A. Fernandez, recently installed 
in San Antonio as Mexican Consul-Gen- 
eral, with headquarters in the Book 
Building, is one of the most popular 
Mexican citizens in Texas. There are 
few of his countrymen in the United 
States, whether in an official or un- 
official capacity, who have made 
friends more quickly and in this 
one happy faculty may lay the trend 
of future events. Consul-General Fer- 
nandez is a man of broad training, well 
equipped for performing the duties of 
so important a station, and his selection 
by the Huerta government was cer- 



tainly wise, aud not only that, but I 
take it, as many others have also ex- 
pressed to me, the determination of the 
Mexican Federal Government to appoint 
only such men as are capable and effi- 
cient. 

Consul-General Fernandez has under 
his jurisdiction several of the richest 
American States, the transactions with 



Mexico of which annually reaches into 
the hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
Being particularly well acquainted with 
this country, he is in every way well 
qualified, and personally speaking, it 
is my candid opinion that he will do a 
great deal towards increasing this trade 
considerably. 



S. P. SKINNER 



Various things are given by dif- 
ferent localities as being more or less 
indicative of the progress of the com- 
munity itself, but my own observations 
have been that financial institutions 
give a more ready insight into the city's 
activity than anything else. 

I have never at any tme, seen any 
place where there was more real ac- 
tivity, than in San Antonio, population 
considered. I find there is no other 
place I ever visited, population consid- 
ered, that has as many banks, as I 
find in San Antonio, and unless there 
was business to sustain them they 
would not be open. One of the most 
wide-a-wake is the Citizens Bank and 
Trust Company, of which S. P. Skinner 
is President. Mr. Skinner is one of the 
substantial business men and financiers 
of the Southwest who believes in "do- 
ing things," and the success which he 
has made of the Citizens Bank and 
Trust Company indicates such. He is 
conceded one of the safest bankers in 
the State, a man of conservative views, 
a deep thinker, exceptionally well read, 
and enjoys the confidence of the public 
in general. 

Mr. Skinner's policy is to do a bank- 
ing business upon principles which give 



the greatest possible security to de- 
positors and stockholders, and the re- 
sult is that no loans are ever made 
that do not in every manner measure 
up to the required standard. This is 
one line of business that "guess-work" 
cannot be tolerated in, but absolute 
facts must be dealt in throughout, with- 
out which failure can only come. 

As a member of the Legislature of 
the State of Texas, Mr. Skinner made 
an enviable record. There were few, 
if any, measures of importance but 
what Mr. Skinner took part in the 
consideration of them. As a speaker, 
he dispenses with flowery oratory, and 
confines himself to the facts, which, 
through his personal popularity and 
magnetism, makes an impression upon 
his hearers. I doubt if any man who 
has sat in the Legislature endeavored 
more conscientiously to give justice to 
one and all. 

A man of unusual civic pride, and 
having at heart the interests of San 
Antonio and Texas, there have been 
few large movements inaugurated in 
which he has not taken an active part. 
He, like all progressive Texans, feels 
there is a great future in store for San 
Antonio, and to that end he is striving. 



PERRY S. ROBERTSON 



The building of cities begins with 
the foundation, but the superstructure 
comes as the result of enterprise, busi- 
ness and professional ability of those 
who recognize in the complexity of in- 
terests, opportunity for establishment 
and successful control of mammoth un- 
dertakings, the maintenance of which 



can only be assured by the enactment 
and enforcement of proper legislation. 

In all professions, San Antonio has 
been fortunate in that the city is well 
represented, especially by young men. 

In the legal profession, I do not know 
of a man whose success has been more 
general than that of Perry S. Eobert- 



26 



son. Native of Arkansas he was born 
in 1876 in Searcy, scion of a well known 
family. After completing his common 
schooling, he immediately begun pre- 
parations for the study of law, enter- 
ing the University Law School, Leba- 
non, Tenn. from which he graduated. 

He served as Mayor of Waxahachie, 
Texas, for two terms of two years each, 
during which time he brought about 
many badly needed improvements. As 
the chief executive of a community, 
Mr. Eobertson believes that the official 
should put forth every effort to secure 
the best possible benefit to its resi- 
dents, and it was along such lines that 
he worked. 

Since locating in San Antonio, he has 
appeared in State and Federal courts. 
In argument, he is conceded a most able 



orator. He is without desire for 
so-called "flowery" expressions in de- 
bating the merits of a case on trial. 
His style of conducting a trial is that 
followed by the oldest lawyers of the 
country— dealing with fact, and not by 
efforts to mislead court or jury. I 
have seen him literally pick to pieces 
testimony of witnesses. He is consid- 
ered one of the best trial lawyers in 
San Antonio. 

Mr. Eobertson is a member of the 
Elks, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, 
Woodmen of the World, K. O. T. M., A. 
T. O., and also holds active membership 
in such prominent bodies as the Inter- 
national Club, Young Men's Business 
League and other leading organizations. 
He was wedded in 1903 to Miss Ethel 
Davis, in Waxahachie, Texas. 



DR. H. H. OGILVIE 



In San Antonio, I believe there are 
more successful young men in the medi- 
cal and law practice than in any other 
country, population considered. 

One of the most capable young phys- 
icians and surgeons, in this section of 
the State is Dr. Henry Houston Ogilvie. 
The doctor is a native Texan, was 
born in 1885 at Melissa, scion of a well 
known family. After completing his 
common schooling, the young man set 
about to equip himself as thoroughly 
as he could for the medical profession, 
realizing the great responsibilities that 
rested with one so engaged. He is a 
graduate of the University of Texas, 
standing high in his classes and easily 
winning his much sought degree. 
Shortly after leaving college he took 
post-graduate courses and then entered 
active practice. 

No better tribute to the young phys- 
icians capacity could have been had 
than his appointment by the S. A. & 
A. P. Eailroad as its local surgeon here, 
it being a well established fact that all 



large corporations employ only the best 
obtainable talent. 

As resident physician at Santa Eosa 
Infirmary, he has again demonstrated 
his efficiency and knowledge of medi- 
cine and surgery, as well as establishing 
for himself a splendid reputation 
among his professional colleagues, and 
the esteem in which he is held is evi- 
denced by his selection for the Secre- 
taryship of the First District Medical 
Society, composed of some of the most 
able men of the profession. 

His military record is one of which 
the doctor has every reason to feel 
proud, for as member of the Medical 
Eeserve Corps, no man has become bet- 
ter known in that capacity. Dr. Ogilvie 
is a Mason and holds active membership 
in several of the leading organizations, 
professional and social, among which 
are the American Medical Association, 
Bexar County Medical Society, Texas 
State Medical Association and others. 
He is also a member of the Phi Chi 
fraternity. Dr. Ogilvie was wedded to 
Miss Eaymond Biggs in 1911 at Dallas. 



27 



VICTOR KELLER 



T have often made the contention 
that young men of the country were 
rapidly advancing to the front. 
That belief I have grown stronger in, 
day after day. In San Antonio the 
younger generation certainly has the 
control, although there are not a few 
elderly men who have attained promi- 
nence and distinction, little short of in- 
ternational, and many really inter- 
national. 

In leading professions young men of 
the Southwest are advancing more 
rapidly than in any other avenue. 
When I say "young men," I mean 
men ranging in age from twenty-five 
to forty-five. 

Of the younger generation of South- 
western lawyers, I do not recall one 
whose advancement has been more rapid 
than that of Victor Keller, junior mem- 
ber of the legal firm of Huntress and 
Keller. As coviusel representing plain- 
tiff or defendant, Mr. Keller has ap- 
peared in the State and Federal Courts, 
where his success has been marked. 
In argument, I doubt seriously indeed 
if there is another young barrister in 



the State his superior. The argument 
he offers is sound in fact and principle, 
and of sufficient force to bring 
about the impression desired. It is 
said of Victor Keller that "woe unto 
the witness who varies from the truth 
during a cross-examination." 

Mr. Keller is a widely read man, 
and has traveled quite extensively. A 
man of broad gauged views, he has 
found little difficulty in forging his 
way rapidly to the front. Only a day 
or two ago (March, 1913) one of the 
best known lawyers in San Antonio 
in speaking of Mr. Keller, remarked 
that "there was one of the coming 
young lawyers of the future. For his 
age and experience, I freely concede 
him one of the most tactful lawyers in 
the State." 

He fights his cases in but one way 
— in the open, face to face, shoulder to 
shoulder, allowing no quarter and con- 
testing inch by inch every foot of 
ground. Mr. Keller wedded Miss Caro- 
lyn Cullop, daughter of the distinguish- 
ed Indiana Congressman. 



DEDICATED TO THE BAR. 



So cordially have I been received, so hospitably have I been treated, that 
I cannot resist dedicating to the San Antonio Bar, a few lines in special order, 
simply as a mark of the highest appreciation upon the part of the author. 
As a member of the legal profession I have found that high-class of well 
trained legal minds, possessed by men, who in the main, through individual 
efforts, have reached the highest plane of universal success. I found them a 
class of men, well educated, polished gentlemen, men of splendid learning, a 
thorough understanding of the statutes, not a few of whom are among the 
State's most gifted orators, and all in all, a class of men whom to meet is to 
admire, whom to know is to respect. THE AUTHOR. 



28 



APR 17 1913 






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riii?6 74 i) 



